Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Elk Hunting 338 Federal - 160 gr vs 210 gr

I have a Sako in 338 Federal (338-08). It shoots both 160 grain Barnes TTSX (2980 fps) & 210 gr TSX (2625 fps) well.

When sighted in +2.5" @ 100 yards, the ballistic program says the 210's will drop 9" @ 300 yards, the 160's dont drop that much until 340 yards.

I am taking the rifle elk hunting next month, what bullet should I use in your opinion?

What shoots best?

Accuracy beats trajectory every time.

BMT

They will both shoot under 1"

The 210 bullet is a great match with the .338Fed, and a fantastic elk bullet.

The 160 was invariably meant as a deer bullet since its such a light-weight projectile for the .338 bore. Why not build some insurance into your ammo choice by using a bullet specifically good for elk, instead one that's too light?

Sometimes enough 'mass' is more important than too much velocity.

The 210er with 2450-2550 fps ought to be plenty to punch through an elk brisket.

160. TSXs like to go fast. Penetration is great in lighter X bullets due to the solid construction.

Oh, one more thing. . . the shooter matters a lot more than the bullet.

Placement, placement, placement.

Good Luck!

BMT

Man, a 160-gn .33 bullet for elk... wow.

Things are changing, are they not?

Isn't there a 180-gn? I'd probably choose that over either of the above.

160gr TTSX will do you just fine. The trajectory of that bullet is a large benefit in the .338 Fed.

I'd go 210....

If I wanted to shoot a 160'ish projectile I'd run a plain .308.

40 yards closer to "drop" the same is jack...

My worthless opinion of course...grin...

Having taken a fair number of elk with bullets ranging from 160 grain .280s up to 260 grain .375s, I would recommend that you go with the 210. I have started using these in my .338-06 and will be using them in one of the two rifles that I take to elk camp this year.

I have no doubt that the 160s would kill an elk--but so will a lot of other bullet/cartridge combinations that I would regard as less than ideal for circumstances in which the only shot you may get are also less than ideal. Just practice sufficiently to know where your bullet will land at various ranges...

I'd go 210.

Dober

210

If you think you're going to be shooting 400-500 yards take a different gun.

I'd feel better with the 210.

Be curious to know about the wind drift differences between the two.

I'd try the 185 TSX,I use it in my 338 Federal. Between the two you mention I'd prolly stick with the 210 grain.

Two 160TTSX fired into milk jugs/water at 25 yards. Both expanded to about .90" across the petals. Im going to use this bullet for a cow elk this fall, MV in my tikka 338 is about 3300fps with Varget.

Should work nicely!

Derek--

Those petals on the expanded TTSX look like they would do a lot of damage. The only thing I would like to see is some more shank behind them to keep them chugging on through. Hence my preference for a 210 on elk.

But the 160 ought to throw deer for a loop.

I agree, Im guessing due to velocity at impact a typical animal hit wouldnt cause them to expand quite as much. Ideally I would try for a 2-300 yard shot which should give adequate time for some of the velocity to bleed off. Im surprised the petals stayed in tact so well, Im not sure if that would have happened in a more solid test medium. Accuracy is near MOA with very little tweaking and recoil is very acceptable.

I'm sure if you were asking the same question of the 270Win we'd all agree that you should use the 150gr or 160 NosPart. Those are both proven elk loads we'd say. You'll do fine.

Sectional density of a 160 gr 270 compared to a 160 gr 338 is not the same.

No, but a 160gr TTSX will penetrate like a 210gr partition